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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
 The Respiratory Syncytial Virus is a major cause of respiratory illness in all ages. In adults, it tends to cause mild cold symptoms; in school-aged children, it can cause a cold and bronchial cough; in infants and toddlers it can cause bronchiolitis (inflammation of the smaller airways of the lungs) or pneumonia. It has also been found to be a frequent cause of middle ear infections (otitis media) in preschool children. Reinfection throughout life is common.
 RSV epidemics are common in the late fall to early spring, and spread among households, day care and schools is rampant. From the time of exposure to infection is 4 to 6 days; after an infection, the person may be still contagious for a week.
 RSV is especially dangerous in infants less than one year old, children with asthma or other lung disorders, or heart disease. It is a major cause of hospitalizations of children in the winter months. The symptoms of bronchiolitis include a hacky cough and a wheeze on exhalation (a high pitched noise from the chest). There is typically fever and a cloudy nasal drainage. The infant is irritable and oral intake decreases. Danger signs include a respiratory rate over 40 breaths per minute, a bluish discoloration of the skin around the mouth, retractions of the skin between the ribs (this indicates the infant is working so hard to breathe that he is using the muscles between the ribs to help), and/or decreased fluid intake to the point of dehydration. RSV is diagnosed by checking for signs of the virus (antigens) in nasal washings, or growing the virus from nasal swabbings.
 The home treatment of RSV has typically been to relieve the symptoms: cough and cold medicines (variable in their efficacy) and bronchodilators such as metaproterenol or albuterol to help relieve chest congestion and wheezing. Humidity may also help. When hospitalized, oxygen is given by mask, nasal tubing or tent. In the late 1980's, a medication called ribavirin was developed to be given by aerosol to hospitalized children. It has been shown to greatly improve oxygenation in arterial blood; effects on killing of the virus are mixed at best. Due to its high cost and selective efficacy, it is only given to those hospitalized infants who are at greatest risk from the virus.
 In 1996, the FDA approved a preventative treatment for RSV called RespiGam. RespiGam is made from plasma taken from large numbers of normal, healthy individuals, and contains a high concentration of protective antibodies against RSV. These antibodies do not prevent RSV infections, but do help protect children against the most serious consequences of the virus. In a large, multi-center study, the use of RespiGam decreased the need for hospitalization by 38% from the non-treated group. At the present time, it is indicated for children under two years of age who are considered to be at "high risk" for RSV infections: being born premature (5 or more weeks before the due date), or having a chronic lung condition such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Children with cyanotic heart defects should not get RespiGam due to side effects involving the circulation.
 Respigam is only available presently as monthly intravenous infusions, each requiring 6 hours to perform. Treatment with RespiGam begins in the Fall before the first outbreaks of RSV normally occur. The treatment regimen involves an intravenous dose once a month through March or April.
 In 1998, the FDA approved an intramuscular version of RSV monoclonal antibodies called palivizumab (Synagis). The indications for its use are the same as with RespiGam: under 2 years of age and prematurity and/or chronic lung disease. (Having a heart defect is not an indication for the use of Synagis.) This prophylactic treatment consists of monthly injections in the thigh during the course of RSV season, same as with RespiGam. The one advantage RespiGam has over Synagis is that RespiGam may also contain antibodies against other types of respiratory viruses, and may therefore be preferred in infants with immune deficiencies.
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